Coast Guard responding to sunken fishing vessel near Sitka, Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard is responding to the sinking of a fishing vessel in Kelp Bay near Sitka Friday.

Personnel from Coast Guard Sector Juneau, the Coast Guard Cutter Maple and Coast Guard Air Station Sitka examined the scene of the sunken 49-foot fishing vessel Sierra Allene and are working with the vessel’s owner to mitigate the situation.

Watchstanders from the Sector Juneau command center received a radio call from the crew of the fishing vessel Irish when they discovered a portion of the Sierra Allene jutting out of the water. The vessel’s owner reported the Sierra Allene has approximately 600 gallons of diesel fuel on board.

“The Coast Guard is working with stakeholders and the owner to resolve the situation and protect nearby sensitive areas,” said Ens. Charles Fraizzell, Sector Juneau assistant incident management division chief.